The Story Isn’t Over
John
19 (NLT)
“So they took Jesus
away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to the place called
Place of the Skull (in Hebrew, Golgotha). There they nailed him
to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with
Jesus between them…
When the soldiers
had crucified Jesus, they divided his clothes among the four of them. They also
took his robe, but it was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. So
they said, “Rather than tearing it apart, let’s throw dice for it.” This
fulfilled the Scripture that says, “They divided my garments among themselves
and threw dice for my clothing.” So that is what they did…
Jesus knew that his
mission was now finished, and to fulfill Scripture he said, “I am thirsty” A
jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a
hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips. When Jesus had tasted it, he
said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and released his
spirit…
Afterward Joseph of
Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the
Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When
Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came
Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about
seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes. Following
Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets
of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a
new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of
preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand,
they laid Jesus there.”
But
the story isn’t over. Praise God it doesn’t end there! While it is important to
realize the magnitude of His suffering and death, we cannot stay exclusively in
mourning. What a gift and privilege that we know this isn’t the end of the
story. That, after two days, He conquered death and paved a way for a
relationship between us and Himself when we are willing to accept His free gift
of salvation. This Good Friday - - and every day - - may we be people who
recognize the high cost of His sacrifice and equally celebrate the gift of His
resurrection!
